A round-up of other court stories in brief...
High cost may prevent man's treatment
A deaf man who sexually assaulted a girl after pulling her down a laneway may not be able to receive post-release treatment because the cost would be too great, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.
Judge Katherine Delahunt adjourned sentencing of Karel Cerny (32), a Czech national, Melville Court, Finglas, Dublin, after hearing that the probation service could not offer him group therapy because of the communication difficulties stemming from his deafness and lack of understanding of English sign language.
Daragh Bailey of the Probation Service also told her they may not be able to offer him individual therapy because “the cost would be an issue”.
Judge Delahunt said it should be considered that “the cost of therapy would be significantly less than keeping him in a State institution”.
She remanded Cerny on bail to allow the Probation Service to clarify whether they can offer him treatment.
Murder accused serving 13 years
A Dublin man accused of murder is serving 13 years in prison, a jury at the Central Criminal Court heard.
Brian Rattigan (28), Cooley Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Declan Gavin (21), Mourne Rd, Drimnagh, at Crumlin Rd, Dublin, on August 25th, 2001.
It is the prosecution’s case that Rattigan got out of a Nissan Micra outside the Abrakebabra fast-food outlet at Crumlin Shopping Centre before he stabbed Mr Gavin in a “targeted attack”.
After the prosecution had concluded its case yesterday Brendan Grehan SC, defending, made a formal admission to the jury.
He said that Rattigan has been in custody since February 15th, 2003, and is serving cumulative sentences of 13 years.
The jury will return on Monday afternoon when closing speeches are expected to be heard.
Murder accused ‘didn’t mean harm’
A 19-year-old Ennis youth told gardaí that he didn’t mean to harm anyone shortly after the stabbing of 14-year-old Michael Doherty.
In evidence yesterday at the Central Criminal Court in Ennis, Garda Lisa McDonagh said that John McGovern (19) told her in an interview that he just swung out and didn’t know if he stabbed Michael Doherty.
A local garda’s son, Mr McGovern (19), Ballyduff, Barefield, Ennis, denies the murder of Traveller, Michael Doherty, Ashline, Ennis, at O’Connell Street, Ennis, on June 23rd, 2007.
On the fourth day of the trial, Garda McDonagh said that when she later charged Mr McGovern with producing a knife in the course of a row, Mr McGovern said: “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to harm anyone.”
The trial before Mr Justice Paul Carney continues.
Change of solicitor in assault case
A man who was due to be sentenced for an attack on a former English army corporal has had the case adjourned after he requested permission to change solicitor.
Mark Cummins (35), St Teresa’s Gardens, Donore Avenue, Rialto, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing serious harm to Conor Shaw on April 16th, 2006.
Mr Shaw (33) was kicked in the head until unconscious in the early hours of Easter Sunday morning, 2006.